If you don’t consider yourself to be a hopeless romantic but still want to decorate your surroundings with seasonal art, take heart. February actually has a lot of different, weird holidays going on that could be used as a basis for a month long art display. To save you and other art lovers’ precious decorating time, we’ve listed our picks for the top five weird holidays in February to celebrate with wall art:

Return Shopping Carts to the Supermarket Month

Did you know that one of the holidays on tap is Return Shopping Carts to the Supermarket Month? It’s about as weird of a national observance as one can get but don’t let that stop you from celebrating it with art. Use artist Paul Edmondson’s Grocery Carts print as a linchpin for the display then surround it with shopping related art. Two wonderful prints to consider are John Jones’ General Store and Scott Coleman’s Oakbowery Store. One print shows the interior of a vintage store and the other shows the exterior of another.

Fabulous Florida Strawberry Month

Fabulous Florida Strawberry Month is also slated to take place. So it might be fun to hang up an array of strawberry art alongside of prints that give a nod to the Sunshine State. Why not hang Ruane Manning’s print, Christine’s South Beach Café in the center to represent one of the state’s popular foodie destinations. Then surround it with Charlene Audrey’s Island Nectar Series, Ray Pelley’s Strawberry Delight and David Carter Brown’s Sweet & Juicy Strawberries prints. Great places to set up the display include the kitchen, hallway, sun room and dining room.

National Hot Breakfast Month

While you are at it, you might want to create a display in recognition of National Hot Breakfast Month too. Artist Katherine Lovell has created a series of word art prints that talk about breakfast and Pierre Bonnard has completed a series titled, The Breakfast Room. They’d be a great place to start. Afterward, you could fill out the wall with prints of breakfast items like hot tea, toast, coffee, pancakes and waffles.

Children and Pets Dental Health Month

February also happens to be National Pet Dental Month and National Children’s Dental Health Month. Consequently, it would undoubtedly be entertaining to decorate the bathrooms with dental art. Artists Luke Stockdale and Drako Fontaine both have prints that focus on the importance of brushing one’s teeth. Either one could serve as the centerpiece for the display. The surrounding prints could consist of Jim Dratfield’s Smile and the World Smiles with You, Anne Parsons’ Fairy and some movie posters. The ones that come to our minds are for the films Dentist on the Job, Dentist in the Chair and The Adventures of Timmy the Tooth.

Adopt a Rescued Rabbit Month

Finally, we wanted to toss in Adopt a Rescued Rabbit Month. Artist Lisa Hilliker has a great print titled, Small-Some Bunny to Love. It would be perfect for the center of an Adopt a Rescued Rabbit Month display. The rest of the presentation could contain rabbit art by artists like Richard Murray, Sir Edwin Henry Landseer, Will Bullas and John Woodhouse Audubon. To take a closer look at them and additional art ideal for recognizing February’s weird holidays, please contact us.

One of the most enjoyable parts of having a child is decorating his or her bedroom. Before their babies are even born, many new parents design a nursery with artwork and accessories that they hope will appeal to their new arrival. They might choose soothing colors and quiet themes to help the baby (and the new parents!) relax and sleep. As they grow and their eyesight develops, babies are drawn to more visually complex pictures and objects.

For toddlers and older children, playing and learning are their two most important occupations. They may spend as much time playing in their rooms as they do sleeping. When decorating their bedrooms, you can choose children's art from among popular characters, interests, or hobbies. You could design a space that incorporates all of their favorites, or pick a central theme or object, such as a traditional children’s story, and have the artwork complement your theme.

Exposing children to different types of art at a young age can help inspire their own creativity. Furthermore, they will feel more comfortable in a room personalized with their specific interests in mind. When decorating your child’s room, you can explore color and design to create a unique space that appeals to both of you.

For instance, encourage storytelling and imaginative play by displaying art with characters from beloved books and movies. This can motivate children to recall scenes from stories and to expand on them, creating their own fantasy world right in their bedrooms. Don’t forget the playroom or family room, two more locations where you could decorate with children's art pieces.

One of the greatest types of art we offer for children is educational art. Every child learns at a different pace and hanging educational art in their surroundings can influence their learning. Alphabet posters, animal posters, counting posters and more are a great fit for a child's room. These types of posters make learning colorful and fun with pictures of the what they are teaching. Educational posters brings learning to life and is something they can use as they grow up and for their own future children. 

Selecting the right type of kitchen art is a daunting yet exciting experience. You want your kitchen to stand out and have a concise style that makes it differ from the rest of your home decor. It is a little challenging trying to find the perfect piece to put and the best spots to put it in the kitchen. Finding the perfect piece of art to hang usually is difficult because most likely, you have appliances of a certain color already in your kitchen. This could also make it easier because you now have a specific color to shop for. If you have one specific bare wall in your kitchen, or a place you want to replace with art, try these tips and styles of art to give it an artistic boost.

Old World

The old world look is beautiful for a kitchen that has soft earth tones and dim lighting. Light brown or cream walls with a cherry wood dining table and chairs is extremely flattering for this style. Kimberly Poloson is one of the many artists who create old world prints that would specifically look great in the kitchen. Some of these prints, like Old World Rooster and Vintage Bouquet I- Mini have a main image in the center of the piece, then have a intricate monochromatic boarder with patterns that help the center image pop. Including these images in your kitchen decor will add a vintage feel that will make you kitchen truly unique.

Traditional

A light and airy traditional kitchen needs some accents that bring out its color palette. If your kitchen is white with beautiful pastels, why not opt for some lovely botanical prints? Photographs and paintings of daisies, poppies, sunflowers, and water lilies are eye pleasing and would look wonderful on a blank wall near the dining table. If you already have a lot of patterns in colors in your decor, botanical prints are a great way to add more decor without clashing with what is already in your kitchen. Pauline Eble Campanelli is one great artist who creates many pieces perfect for kitchen decor. A lot of them are simple and elegant with a solo basket on the table filled with fruits or plants. These prints are one example of adding a perfect touch to an already traditional styled kitchen or transforming your kitchen's decor to traditional style.

Contemporary 

Contemporary kitchens are usually sleek and sophisticated with two main colors for the theme and a few stainless steel appliances. It may be tricky trying to figure out what art style would match with this type of kitchen‘s appeal. A great place to start looking for contemporary art for your kitchen is in contemporary food prints. These prints range from paintings of fruits, coffee, wine, spices, and much more! Contemporary food art is also a great place to start looking because within this style category you can find art to fit your theme. For example, there are many prints that are Tuscan themed, educationally themed, and more!

These are just a few ideas that bring out the styles of kitchens. Kitchen art can be as colorful or as simplistic as you choose. Remember to choose a finish like laminate, frame or canvas, that will protect your art from stains and water damage. Check out our website to browse through hundreds of art pieces to find the perfect art that compliments your kitchen decor!

With more than 60 recognized species of herons living on this planet, it’s easy to see why so many nature lovers find them completely fascinating. And the love affair shows no signs of stopping. Why just this summer, a group of black-crowned night herons had researchers and Washington, DC, residents enthralled and scrambling to track their every move. Of course not all of us are blessed with such unique opportunities. So thankfully, there are pieces of heron themed, animal art that can help us remain close to these majestic, coastal birds.

 

Two pieces to consider are Rosiland Solomon’s Night Herons and John James Audubon's Night Heron. Solomon's depiction of the birds is very colorful and shows them in a classic wetlands scene. Color wise, Audubon's rendition is more muted and shows them perched on a branch in seemingly quiet response. Nonetheless, both feature the bird's thick necks, dark crowns, wide bodies, and beautiful color patterns. 

 

For those that want to surround themselves with photos of herons, we’d suggest taking a look at the work of Moises Levy. He is a talented photographer with a penchant for capturing waterscapes and related wildlife. That said, he has a series of photos that feature herons on the water as well as standing on boats, piers and pylons. There are even a few that depict the winged creatures in flight. Just look for the photos that start with the word, Garzas, or a number followed by the word, Herons.

 

 

Rosiland Solomon, John James Audubon and Moises Levy are not the only artists known for their animal themed pieces. Heron lovers may also want to check out animal artwork by people like Jennifer Goldberger, Sydenham Edwards, Alexander Wilson, Chris Vest, Utagawa Hiroshige and James Harris. To learn more about their animal art and tips for filling living space with heron themed decor, please contact us at the Fulcrum Gallery today.

With Oktoberfest kickoff closing in, we wanted to talk about decorating home bars and entertaining areas with animal art, specifically. It’s a great, subtle way to convey the feel of Old World Germany traditions year round. Of course one of the animals that should be at the center of the decorating scheme is the dachshund.

Dachshunds have been a part of German culture for centuries, and according to the American Kennel Club, their roots go back to the 1600's. At the time, many German huntsmen used the dogs to capture foxes, badgers, rabbits and feral pigs. In later years, they were entered into dachshund races during October celebrations and other competitive events, which continue around the world to this day.

On top of that, there are companies that manufacture dachshund themed wine, beer and bar supplies. Among them are Dachshund Riesling, III Dachshunds Beer and Maitland-Smith. The dog themed bar supplies include brass wine holders, shot glasses, steins, highball glasses, bottle openers, coasters and more. Thus, incorporating wiener dog themed animal art into a home bar or Oktoberfest décor scheme makes sense.

There are two pieces of animal art that must be mentioned when talking about Oktoberfest and home bar decor. One is Stephen Fowler’s Dachshund Wine print and the other is Ryan Fowler’s Dachshund Brewing Co. print. They both resemble vintage advertising signs and prominently feature the dog's image. Because they do have the appearance of commercial art, they could be paired with artist Brian Rubenacker's Dachshund Wieners.

 For a more whimsical look, there is also Tracy Flickinger’s Hot Dog. It features a cartoon image of a female dachshund enjoying a cocktail while dressed in a pink feather boa. Additional decorating options include actual photos of wiener dogs and work by artists like Dean Russo and Serena Bowman. A combination of these prints will make the perfect décor for Oktoberfest as well as everyday décor for your home bar.

Have you ever wanted with two simplistic yet intense colors? Most decorators will agree that the colors to do this job are black and white, two colors that are stark against each other. They are complete opposites in the color scheme, yet they work together cohesively to create a huge impact. When working with black and white, consider the effect you want to create in the room. You’ll be surprised at how many different ways you can go: sophisticated, chic, minimal, classic, cozy or vintage. Using black and white art is one great way to achieve that effect, here's how:

• Modern Black and White Art

A modern bedroom is all about sophistication and clean lines. It’s sleek and chic. Consider using cleverly chosen black and white art. From a single bold piece of art to a collage of black and white art, the effect can be stunning and dramatic. Whether it’s the clean lines and shades or the juxtaposition of the two bold colors, using modern black and white art can transform your bedroom into a modern haven of good taste.

• Vintage Black and White Art

Vintage is the rage these days. If you’re dreaming of transforming your bedroom into a vintage showcase, consider the use of vintage black and white art. From throwback to the good old days of baseball to iconic moments in history to famous movie stars, the choices are astounding. Go with a theme or create a feel with these visual pieces.

• Black and White Photography

Perhaps you’re a photography buff or a fan of black and white photography. You’re in good company. Black and white photography adds interest, appeal and a soft, understated, yet powerful effect. Scenery, places of interest, portraits lend themselves to that effect, though black and white photography is not limited to these categories. Use black and white photography to create a calming, soothing effect or to create a cozy getaway from the day’s hustle and bustle at the end of the day. A bedroom to soothe the soul, the perfect retreat.

Decorating your bedroom with just two colors will not be boring with a little know-how and imagination. Use as little or as much of the black-white combo and let the colors do the talking. You may also opt to add drama with an introduction of a third color but the call is entirely up to you. 

What do Billy the Kid, Hoss Cartwright, Jack Sorenson, Wyatt Earp and Charles M. Russell all have in common? The answer, “They’re all beloved figures that, in one way or another, represent the Wild West. Two of them, Jack Sorenson and Charles M. Russell, are Wild West artists that have managed to touch people’s inner cowboy or cowgirl with their creative visions. 

Born in the 1950s, Jack Sorenson’s wild west art was clearly influenced by his early years, which he spent part of working at his family’s dude ranch and frontier town. It was a popular tourist stop and Sorenson learned early on how to play to the crowd. As such, his Wild West artwork has a great mix of touching and humorous ranch family scenes. It also contains western landscapes, high intensity action shots and wildlife paintings that are sure to stir one’s inner adventurer.

Charles M. Russell, on the other hand, had a much different upbringing than Sorenson. Born in the late 1800s, he spent his teenage years employed by a working sheep rancher and living among the Blood Indians, with nary a tourist in sight. So his Wild West art tends to portray a very realistic view of ranch life in the late 1800s and early 1900s. It shows cowboys working and interacting with Indians, early explorers and animals. That said, art patrons who view his paintings often remark that they are like having a window into our country’s past.

Of course Jack Sorenson and Charles M. Russell are not the only men associated with Wild West art. There are many more and each understandably brings his or her own unique perspective on western life to the table. That’s part of what makes decorating with Wild West art so interesting. Depending on the artist and the subject matter, a wide variety of moods, interests or messages may be conveyed.

Take Jack Sorenson’s horse paintings, like The Bay and A Sound in the Timber for example. They would look lovely hanging in a room filled with saddle furniture, leather flooring and a working fireplace. On the flip side, Charles M. Russell’s Wild West artwork would look amazing hanging in a study filled with history books, antiques from the 1800s, animal hide throw rugs and saddle blankets.

To learn more about Jack Sorenson, Charles M. Russell and other wild west artists’ notable pieces, please visit  Fulcrum Gallery today.

No country home is complete without country art!

So your home has that good old country vibe to it. You have cute country style drapes hanging over the kitchen window and you possibly have the horseshoe hanging over the door, but what good country home needs is some stylish country art. No country home is complete without some country paintings. For the living room or the family den, you may have styled to feel like it's the open range or the mountains. You have animal skins hanging up or maybe you have a cow print rug on the floor, well how about adding a painting like log cabin retreat to the scene. It gives off that sense of wilderness and the colors are vibrant. It would go well with any room you're trying to give off the nature vibe. Maybe you're looking for something that'll really capture your guests' attention when they're in the kitchen, you have yellow walls, maybe rooster or fruit drapes, well add a painting or two into the style.

 Bless our home would go well with any yellow decor or color scheme. It even has sunflowers and you can't top sunflowers. Maybe you want something that just totally stands out that just pops then check out Razzberry Creek crossing. The colors are very soft and it could really stand out in the kitchen. If you're finally fixing up that bathroom and you decided to go with a bear theme then add some bear art! Country bath would not only fit in with your bear and wilderness theme, but it's completely adorable! If you want something more cute than that, a big favorite is bear necessities. Not only will it give your bathroom a zing to its decor, but it'll remind your guests of the Disney movie The Jungle Book. So if you're look to spice up your country home then check out Fulcrum Gallery for all their latest country master pieces.

Images of giraffes have appeared in art throughout the history of art itself. Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs expressed the giraffe as an "animal that, being so tall, sees before all other creatures. To foresee or foretell, in other words, is to see as a giraffe does.” Giraffes indeed have magnificent eyesight that goes further than any other mammal, even by scent or sound. Julius Caesar brought a giraffe from Alexandria to Rome in 46 BC, where it was considered an exotic creature, thought to be part camel and part leopard. Giraffes are also considered symbols for communication, intuition, and attaining the impossible.

From India to the United States, the symbol of vision associated with the giraffe is consistent throughout cultures and histories. Giraffes reach heights of eighteen feet with necks up to seven feet. The giraffe is extremely powerful and only vulnerable when it reaches it's neck down to drink water. Thus, the giraffe teaches us how to view the world in both practical and expansive ways.

In Native American culture, giraffes have evolved into powerful shamanic symbols and animal totems. It is said that each person has nine animal totems that guide the individual through life, coming and going depending on the life lessons and circumstances presented along his or her path. Animal totems “offer power and wisdom to the individual when they 'communicate' with it,” yet this process can occur without actually petting or spending time with the animal. It's more about being “open to learning its lessons.”

If the symbolism of a giraffe speaks to you, consider adorning your walls with giraffe art to evoke the connection you feel to its meaning. Some outstanding giraffe art prints include: Lone Giraffe by Kathleen Denis and From Where I Stand by Britt Hallowell, both of which express the symbolism of giraffes in a focused, earthy way, while the Serengeti Giraffe by Fischer Warnica offers a contemporary take on giraffes, and Exploring Nature by Joan Hanson reveals the vulnerable stance of the giraffe. For many more giraffe art print options, visit the Fulcrum Gallery online.

The unique lobster has been crawling around on earth for about 100-Million-Years! Lobsters are amazing animals with extremely weird characteristics: they have kidneys in their heads, teeth in their stomachs, brains in their throats, and they grow throughout their lifespan by shedding their shells! They also taste things with their claws and hear stuff with their legs. Lobsters live alone and love to hide on the ocean floor amidst sea flora and rocks. Like birds, they even navigate by sensing earth's magnetism!

Lobsters are also much more than just expensive food! During the Medieval and Renaissance periods, lobsters were pulverized and utilized as medicinal cures for epilepsy, kidney stones, and eye inflammation. Plus, lobsters are steeped in ancient symbolism that connects to transformation, longevity, protection, independence, and solitude. It is said that those who feel a strong connection to the lobster are adept at letting go of the outer world, focusing on the inner world, and experiencing a true sense of freedom from societal labels and restrictions.

 In ancient Greece “the lobster was generally esteemed sacred by the Greeks and was not eaten by them; if the people of Seriphos caught a lobster in their nets they put it back into the sea; if they found a dead one they buried it and mourned over it as over one of themselves.” Lobsters have also been a persistent symbol in animal art history, from adorning mosaic images on Roman floors to being showcased in Japanese paintings. Salvador Dali used lobsters many times in his Surrealist art.

If you feel drawn to the unique mystery of lobsters and want to connect with their powerful symbolism, consider lobster themed fine art for your home. For a rustic lobster look that expresses their function as revered food, the “Red Horse Signs Lobster” print is an excellent choice. For a more whimsical look that expresses the dynamic character of the lobster and its ocean environment, “Sydney Wright Ocean Lobster” will beautify and energize your walls in no time! If, however, you prefer a highly artistic take on the lobster and its connection to independence, the fine art print “Andy Warhol Lobster, c. 1982” says it all!